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Biochemistry
smart strategy
in conversation
Career Hotline How can I get admission to PG in psychiatry? What is the admission process for Sainik schools ? Tell me about aerospace engineering
testing times
field in focus: physical education
Hiring activities grow
Happiness @ work
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Strike the right chemistry
Gauri Chhabra
Which is the discipline dealing with all this? Is it a pure science or an applied one? We all know that the cell is the structural unit of living systems. The living cell has chemical constituents that undergo several reactions and procedures and biochemistry is the field that deals with these reactions. Biochemistry involves the study of chemical processes in living organisms and is based on the principles of chemistry, biology, mathematics, genetics and physics. It also encompasses stem cell or genetic research that has the potential to result in dramatic medical or scientific breakthroughs. Today, it has made headway into all aspects of life from health to agriculture to genetics to forensics. Hence the multifarious career options. Getting in
If this field excites you then the right stage to start working towards your goal is right after Class X. Opt for the science stream in Class XI with physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. Some universities offer biochemistry as a subject for graduation — BSc in biochemistry. Typically, BSc is a three-year course. Subjects studied in this degree are chemistry, biophysics, mathematics and statistics, molecular biology, genetics etc. However, it is post graduation that really establishes you as a biochemist. You can opt for a Junior Research Fellowship after MSc by appearing for the UGC CSIR JRF/NET exam. This could lead to a lectureship and a career in research and development, consulting or allied work. Some medical colleges also offer MD in biochemistry for MBBS graduates. The Central Drug Research Institute, Industrial Toxicological Research Institute, National Botanical Research Institute also offer scope for advanced studies and research in this field.
Skill set
In order to become a biochemist, one needs to have problem-solving, research and analytical skills. You also need to beef up your oral and written communication skills as you may be working as part of a team, write research papers or proposals, and have contact with clients or customers.
Career pathways
Since biochemistry follows an inter-disciplinary approach, there are plenty of job openings in health and beauty care, chemical manufacturing, food and drink production, medical instruments and pharmaceutical development. The work environment could be the government, private sector, laboratories, hospitals and other educational and research institutions. Following are the sectors you can go in for: Food and beverage processing: The food processing sector is geared towards upgrading food processing technologies, improving food quality, and adding value to raw agricultural materials through quality assurance, packaging, and biotechnologies. One can work as Micro Laboratory Technician where one is responsible for preparing the daily activities in labs, including equipment start-up and lab disinfection, while also providing support for the Lab Sample Analysis System through the collection, preparation, and data entry pertinent to tested samples. Your knowledge of the properties of proteins, fats, starches, and carbohydrates, as well as micro components such as additives and flavorings, can fetch you the job of Food and Flavor Chemist. Where you create different approaches to use ingredients or synthesise new ingredients, such as fat or sugar replacements, while utilising natural and artificial ingredients to develop flavors in food products. Clinical trials: As a Clinical research associate, you may be responsible for clinical trials while designing and implementation of a new drug protocol or the use of a new virus for gene therapy. You may have to develop the clinical trials or supervise them. Your work would involve the analysis and evaluation of data from the trials to ensure that clinical protocols were followed. You may also be identifying the way in which DNA, which carries the genetic information, is transferred between cells and can be manipulated. Manufacturing: In the manufacturing sector, you may take the biochemical process developed in the laboratory and scale it up through the pilot plant stage to the full production plant. Besides, you may also be required to determine what instrumentation and equipment are needed and troubleshoot problems in the scale-up procedure. Healthcare: In the healthcare sector, you can work as a bio-statistician where you design research studies and collect and analyse data on problems such as how a disease progresses, how safe a new treatment or medication is, or the impact of certain risk factors associated with medical conditions. Environment: One of the most pressing issues in our society — environmental degradation — is also being addressed by biochemists. You may be required to perform improvements in the efficiency of photosynthesis to increase crop yields, bio-remediation of polluted soils, development of new feed-stocks, production of biofuels, genetic mapping of ecosystems to monitor biodiversity, and methodologies for boosting biological capture of carbon. Research and education: Those interested in academics can take the NET route and avail the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) scheme. This scheme is open to candidates who qualify in the National Education Testing (NET) of the UGC and the UGC-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) joint test. "The future belongs to Biochemistry. Today, it has made inroads into many areas of our daily lives. It is increasingly being used in forensics by law enforcement agencies to provide evidence in investigations. It is also used by archaeologists as genetic and isotopic investigations of our ancestral remains are illuminating much of human history and pre-history. Amazing and transformational pathways lie ahead for all those who wish to script a career in Biochemistry." Renuka Malhotra, Assistant Professor Dept. of Bio Chemistry, DAV College, Jalandhar
Institute watch
Panjab University, Chandigarh Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak University of Delhi, New Delhi All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh University of Allahabad, Allahabad Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi The writer is a Ludhiana-based
career consultant
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Wise advice
Pratyushmani Tripathi A management consultant is a professional who has the most interesting, intellectually stimulating and financially rewarding job in the professional services market. Many of these consultants come from an accounting background. The foothold
The work
Consulting work is project driven with relatively challenging timelines — there might be times when you are expected to work long hours to meet deadlines.
Keys skills
Some people assume that you have to have many years of work experience to qualify as a consultant. Depending on your focus and industry, this can be true. But if you have either very strong natural consulting skills or very specialised expertise, you can still act in a consulting role even if you can count the number of years you have been in the workforce on one hand. You should have the following skills: *
The ability to view the ‘big picture’ of an organisation and see how all the parts fit together. *
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to people from all levels of an
organisation. * Confidence to stand up for what you believe in and the grace to admit when you are wrong *
The ability to synthesise a great amount of data in an effective presentation within a short period of time. *
Knowledge of change management. Even if you are working on very technical projects (perhaps especially in this case), you need to understand how human beings in organisations react to change.
Institutions and training
The Institute of Management Consultants of India (IMCI), Accenture, FTI Consulting, Hitachi Consulting are the top most institutes for management consulting courses in India. A course in management consulting broadly involves developing consulting skills, acquiring mentorship skills, opportunities in international consulting. Besides this lateral thinking, benchmarking HR practices, increasing corporate productivity, business process analysis etc are also part of the training modules.
Career growth
Management consulting is an extremely desirable career, so many who start in this role choose to remain within it for the duration of their career, sometimes swapping larger firms for smaller consulting firms. A very common transition is also into higher strategic management of companies or joining a company board. Frequently, consultants can also go freelance and offer their business consultancy services for a substantial hourly fee.
Remuneration
Starting salaries vary depending on which area of consulting you work in (e.g. Strategy / Operations / Technology). But are higher than most other non-investment bank graduate positions. Generaly, the starting salaries in India are in the
Rs 30,000 bracket and growth depends on your performance.
Consulting advice encompasses a wide variety of management issues that can be divided into the following categories: Strategy Consulting or Business Strategy Consulting; Operational Consulting, Marketing Consulting, Financial Consulting and Management Controls, Human Resources Consulting, Technology Consulting or Information Technology Consulting: Applications Consulting, Environmental Management Consulting, Quality Management Consulting, Outsourcing Consulting
— The writer is Director,
Vaidsics Lucknow.
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Be on a winning spree with the right plan
Alok Jain Career planning is a long and stressful process. More often than not, most of the people don't pay enough attention to this process. Not that they don't want to give it the due attention, but the lack of knowledge prohibits them from doing it. There is no ready reckoner and information available on when and how to start this process. Often, in the absence of proper career guidance, many a student fail to realise his true potential. Some of them wake up to the arduous task too late, while others fail to identify the career path that is best suited for them. Many realise after spending a few years in a profession that they were not made for it. Some are stuck with the same job, failing to realise that it is time for a change, and lose out on growth opportunities. The key to having a good and satisfying career is to pick up the one that is right for you and making sure that you do not lose out when it comes to making the most of the opportunities that your field offers. Here's a simple to follow four-step process to plan your career can keep you ahead in life all the time. This can start as early as in your teens and can continue till you retire. Know yourself
The first step in the career planning is to know oneself. What an individual can be best at depends largely on his or her interests and aptitude. You will certainly excel in a field that you are made for. A student who might have an exemplary aptitude to work in the dynamic field of media might be wasting her talent preparing from engineering examinations. Even if she is able to become a good engineer, her aptitude and deep interest will always lie in another field. Know your passion, talent, aptitude, personality and intelligence. It is often seen that people who succeed are the people who follow their passion and have skilled themselves for that. If you are a person who wants to be with people all the time and enjoy being in a group, want to help others and enjoy people seeking your advice, then you are most likely to succeed in careers that involve people interactions like doctors, counselors, teachers, social workers etc. However, if you become an auditor or an accountant, then you may be able to discharge your duties effectively but you are unlikely to enjoy and hence deprive yourself from attaining the heights that you may be capable of. Often this is the step where people go wrong. They are unable to identify their true calling and end up chasing the dreams of others. It is advisable to take professional help at this time. There are a lot of online tools available to help you identify your true calling. Psychometric assessments or tools designed and developed to analyse behavioural and latent traits of an individual are crucial tools.
Skill yourself
Once you know what the direction you need to follow is, the next step is to skill yourself. You may be studying in best of the institutes to acquire the relevant knowledge but it may not be enough for you to succeed. You need to acquire a lot of life skills that are essential for you to succeed in your career. These life skills will keep on changing depending upon the stage of your career. For a fresher, some of life skills required are communication skills, basic etiquette, ability to write a CV, and appear for an interview and GD. You should have a good general awareness to make for an impressive personality. Three to five years into your career, the life skills required may include people management, decision making etc. At a later stage these may be strategy and leadership skills etc. This is an ongoing process and to succeed you need to acquire appropriate life skills for the next career move ahead of time. So, even when you are in the initial stages of your career, keep yourself ready to make the next move. Interact with your seniors who are handling greater responsibilities and know that sooner or later you will be expected to perform them as well. There may be many people competing for promotions. So make yourself the best among the equals.
Adapt yourself
Once you move into your career, you would quickly realise that with the knowledge and skills acquired, you are unable to cope with various situations within the organisation. These could be work- related situations, office politics, team dynamics or any other kind. Each of these situations could be unique and may require different way of tackling, which you have neither learnt about nor encountered earlier. You need to adapt yourself to handle these situations. There are two things that you must do in your career to succeed and tackle such situations. First is to have a mentor. Mentor could be your supervisor, someone senior in your organisation or outside the organisation. They could be your sounding boards for handling challenging situations. Their know-how and experience can help you tide over difficult times. The second thing is to have a good network within the organisation and industry. Conversations during informal meetings will give you enough cues about the situations that are likely to unfold in due course of time. This brings us to the last point - Be ready for the change.
Be ready for change
It is often said that change is the only constant in life. Successful people anticipate change and are ready for it. Your informal channels, your mentor and various research publications available on net
The writer is Founder and Head, CareerCo
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Employees should have a sense of ownership
HR’s role has evolved considerably over the past few years. Earlier it used to encompass more of administrative or operational work but today it is involved in strategic decision-taking — both at the conception and implementation stages. This is primarily due to an increased understanding about an employee’s role within an organisation, from being an important asset to a key differentiator. “With the scarcity of talent in the market, HR has attained a critical role to identify, acquire and retain the best talent”, says Alexander George Muthoot, Director, of gold loan company Muthoot Group. His company has recently won the Golden Peacock Award for HR Excellence. Constant endeavor to motivate the workforce and enabling employees to participate in long-term growth and financial success of the organisation are the strategies that George has used in his organisation. In an interview with Geetu Vaid he shares the vision and the latest trends in HR. Excerpts: Your group recently won the Golden Peacock Award for HR Excellence. What were the main initiatives that brought this recognition for your group? We have developed robust HR mechanism that includes recruitment of silver generation and ex-servicemen. The experience and background of the ex-bankers and ex-defence personnel have proven to be quite resourceful in reiterating discipline and corporate governance of the company, creating better strategies, strengthening the efficiency of branches, guiding the younger generation and creating a better team spirit. Besides this strong emphasis is laid on enhancing the skills set of the existing and new staff through a four-phase training module. We also have established a Management Academy, near Kochi to provide specialised residential training to the senior staff. Along with this Staff Training Colleges in Kochi and New Delhi and Regional Learning centres in all regions take care of all the training needs of our employees. We have also tied up with the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance (IIBF) wherein staff is encouraged to upgrade their professional skills through Junior Associate of Indian Institute of Bankers (JAIIB) and Certified Associate of Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB) courses. Fast track promotions and other staff welfare initiatives not only keep the workforce motivated but also increase a sense of ownership among them. What were the tricky situations dealt by your HR department? HR faces a new challenge each day as dealing with difficult situations at work is a part and parcel of this role. Some of the challenges that I have handled here were: * Ensuring parity in compensations * Implementation of Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS) * Reducing attrition * Encouraging and motivating all employees for public speaking * Ensuring comfortable exit interviews of staff * Ensuring regional balances by recruitment of locals. What are the latest HR trends that Indian companies should be adopting or checking out? A few key HR-related trends that may be looked upon could be: * HR to be considered not just as an administrative function but as strategic business partner. * Involving the HR department in developing and implementing both people and business strategies. * The role of HR Manager has to shift from that of a protector and screener to that of a planner and change agent. What are the real challenges for HR in the present circumstances? The major challenges that HR of an organisation face are: Leadership development: Companies still need to invest in their best employees to develop and sustain leadership qualities. Being a long-term strategy, it involves lot of time and the best resources. Accountability: Each employee has to shoulder responsibility to some extent. Competency-based interviews for all the roles wherein fitment to the role is judged basis competency required to perform that work serve as effective tools. We look for people who can not only lead the organisation and the team to the next level but who also take in accountability in solving issues and own up shortcomings when claiming success. Values: Every organisation looks for people who are strong on principles and will not forsake their values for any unprofessional acts. For example our group has been dealing with precious valuables of customers for the past 74 years and dealing with such sensitive assets requires strong disciplined people. It is due to the ethics, values, reliability, dependability, trustworthiness, goodwill and integrity which the company has ingrained among its staff that the company today enjoys an unblemished track record. Attrition: Every company faces this challenge and especially in the current economic flux. Effective employee engagement that enhances a sense of ownership among employees goes a long way in keeping attrition levels low. Is diversity of workforce a benefit or a drawback for the success of a company? Diversity of workforce is definitely a huge contributor to a company’s success. The benefits that a diverse workforce provides include: * Increased adaptability * Increased customer base * Increased productivity.
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Career Hotline How can I get admission to PG in psychiatry? Q.After completing my MBBS, I’ve been working with an NGO in a small village in Himachal Pradesh. Now I would like to study further. Can you please tell me something about the procedure for seeking admission to PG courses in psychiatry? — Dr Tushar Kishore A.While there was considerable ambiguity about whether the common entrance would apply to PG medical courses, the Supreme Court’s latest announcement has come as a great relief for the one lakh aspirants like you who are seeking admission to the various medical courses including psychiatry. The National Board of Examination (NBE) will conduct the first ever online Postgraduate Medical Entrance Exam for admission to 50 per cent quota (4,000) seats in government medical colleges across the country between November, 25 to December, 6 2013. You’ll have to hurry, though. The application deadline for online registration is November 13. The results will be declared on 31 January 2014. All the best.
What is the admission process for Sainik schools ?
Q.I wish to admit my son to a Military or Sainik School. Could you please explain the admission procedure? —
Raj Kumar
The 21-odd Sainik schools are located in various parts of the country. They select bright and promising boys (10-11 years) for Class IV and (13-14 years) for Class IX and prepare them to lead as officers in the country’s Defence Services. Affiliated to the CBSE, the Sainik Schools follow the 10+2 pattern. Governed by Ministry of Defence, they are wholly residential and run on the lines of public schools. Admission to these schools is strictly on the basis of merit in the all-India entrance exam which is held in January each year. The schools impart instruction in English, although knowledge of English is not a pre-requisite for admission. However, they offer only science stream at the Plus II level, enabling candidates to appear for the NDA entrance exam. The objective of these schools is to bring quality public school education within the reach of the common man, all round development of a child’s personality and removing regional imbalance in the officer cadre of the armed forces. They prepare boys academically, physically and mentally to join armed forces through the NDA. They also aim at developing a sound character, team spirit, dedication to duty, patriotic outlook and desire to serve the country. Sports and games, extracurricular activities, educational tours, excursions, adventure courses and socially useful work aimed at developing the dignity of labour, form an integral part of the training imparted in Sainik Schools.
Tell me about aerospace engineering
Q. I am in Class XI. I know a fair bit about aeronautical engineering, but could you please tell me something about aerospace engineering? —
Diwakar Bhanot
A.Aerospace engineers design, construct, and test aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. At times, they also conduct basic and applied research to evaluate how materials and equipment adapt to aircraft design and manufacture. They may also recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques. On a regular basis, their tasks would include the following: *
Developing design criteria for aeronautical or aerospace products and systems, including testing methods, production costs, quality standards, and deadlines. *
Analysing project requests and proposals and technical data to determine the feasibility, productivity, cost, and production time of aerospace or aeronautical products. *
Formulating the conceptual design of the products/ systems to meet customer requirements. *
Formulating mathematical models or computer analysis to develop, evaluate, or modify the design to match the client’s engineering requirements. *
Planning and conducting experimental, environmental, operational and stress tests on models and prototypes of aircraft, aerospace systems and equipment. *
Evaluating product data and design from inspections and reports to check if they conform to engineering principles, customer requirements, and quality standards. *
Directing and coordinating activities of engineering or technical personnel involved in designing, fabricating, modifying, or testing of these products and systems. *
At the senior level, the work could involve directing R &D programmes. *
Reviewing performance reports and documentation from clients and field engineers, and inspecting malfunctioning or damaged products to determine the problem. *
Planning and coordinating activities concerned with investigating and resolving customers’ reporting technical problems with aircraft or aerospace vehicles. A typical BTech programme in aerospace engineering will give you an overview of all the latest technologies and innovations in aeronautics. The curriculum will include not only the science and technology of aeronautics but also cover the practical aspects related to other disciplines such as materials, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics and computer science.
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Forbes is offering the Forbes Editorial Internship Programme for international students and young journalists for the summer of 2014. Duties will include reporting, fact-checking and writing stories, as well as assisting staffers with special projects. Accepted applicants will be assigned to a desk —Wealth, Investing, etc and will work closely with the corresponding editors. Current undergraduate/graduate students are eligible and rising juniors and seniors will be preferred. Internship is offered these desks (also known as teams, sections and channels): Asia, Business/Lifestyle, College Rankings, Entrepreneurs, Leadership, Money & Investing, Product Development, Sports Money, Technology, Video and Wealth. Applicants in their cover letter have to rank their top three desk preferences. Eligibility: Current undergraduate/graduate students – rising juniors and seniors preferred. For Forbes Asia: -Familiarity with web media including Forbes *
Fluency in an Asian business language – Chinese, Korean, and Southeast Asian languages desired For Business/Lifestyle: -Journalism major/minor OR internship at a journalistic publication *
Basic understanding of reporting, fact-checking, and editorial ethics *
Experience with WordPress or similar publishing platforms * Fluent in social media For College: *
Strong written and oral communication skills * Prior reporting and editing experience *
Ability to multitask and meet deadlines For Entrepreneurs: * Strong writing skills (journalism major not required) *
Understanding of financial terms * Basic understanding of fundraising and equity *
Knowledge of social media and WordPress is a big plus For Leadership: *
Journalism major OR internship at a journalistic publication * Strong written and oral communication skills *
Knowledge of social media and WordPress * Ability to use multiple resources during research *
Experience with Photoshop and HTML preferred but not required * Fluent in Social Media Details: The compensation is $15/hour. Duration: 8-10 weeks (June to August) How to apply: Electronically. Deadline: November 15, 2013. Check out: http://www.forbes.com
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Forensic nursing course
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in Nursing with 55 per cent marks in case of General category and 50 per cent for SC/ST candidates. Candidates in service are also eligible to apply. How to apply: Application forms are available on www.gfsu.edu.in and should be submitted along with the demand draft of ~1000 (non-refundable) in favour of “The Registrar, Gujarat Forensic Sciences University” payable at
Gandhinagar Deadline: November 16, 2013 Check out: www.gfsu.edu.in Diploma in Interior Design JD Institute of Fashion Technology, has announced admissions for Diploma in Interior Design course. The course: It is a one-year
programme. It will cover topics like introduction to the subject, history of interior design, basic and advanced graphic presentation, orthographic projection, basic and advanced building services, elements of design, building materials, basic and advanced construction techniques, role Eligibility: Applicant should have passed Plus II from a recognised board in any discipline. How to apply: Application forms are available at the Corporate centre of JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Hauz Khas Village. Application Forms can also be downloaded from the website
www.jdinstitute.com Deadline: November 15, 2013. Check out:
www.jdinstitute.com
BSc in healthcare management
University of Southampton recently launched BSc
(Hons) Healthcare: Management, Policy and Research course. The course aimed at giving high-performing students vital knowledge of healthcare systems, policy, research and management, is open to applications from international students. It is a four-year course that will include a one- year paid work placement designed to give students the confidence and competence needed to make a successful start to their careers. Students will develop an understanding of health system management and policy and the ability to identify, investigate and solve real problems in healthcare design and delivery. Eligibility: The applicants wil be selected on the quality of their application. Students are required to score at least 70 per cent in Class XII from Central Board of Secondary Education
(CBSE), the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) and Metro State Boards. English language requirements are set at IELTS 7 with no less than 6.5 in any component. How to apply: Applications are through
UCAS. Applicants with a strong academic background and a clear commitment to the subject will be considered for an offer based on the quality of their UCAS application. Fee: £13,290. The programme commences in September 2014 Deadline: January 15, 2014. Check
out: www.southampton.ac.uk/healthsciences/undergraduate/courses
Nuclear physics
Applications have been invited from Indian nationals for Undergraduate Associateship
(UGA) of Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP), Kolkata under the auspices of the Centre for Advanced Research and Education (CARE),
SINP. The course: The purpose of UGA programme is to identify budding scientists and provide them with the necessary resources/nourishment in order to motivate them to take up scientific research in Physical and Biophysical sciences as a career option. UGAs of SINP are expected to undertake studies/work in the broad areas of Physical and Biophysical sciences (For details, see
www.saha.ac.in/cs/www (look under Research)). Eligibility: Candidates from the first/second year of
BSc/Integrated MSc in physics/chemistry/biological sciences programme in 2013 who have secured at least 85 per cent marks in both science and mathematics and at least 80 per cent in aggregate in Class XII board examination can apply. Selected UGAs will be exposed to reading courses and laboratory training through short projects under the guidance of assigned mentors for a total period of about 60-90 days spread over their undergraduate years. During this period they will receive a stipend (~200 per day) along with travel allowance and hostel accommodation (for outstation
UGAs). A few of the UGAs may be further selected as Graduate Associates of SINP if they pursue master’s programme in basic sciences. How to apply: Applications can be submitted online at
www.saha.ac.in/cs/associateship.programme/uga_appl2013.html Deadline: November 20, 2013. Check out:
www.saha.ac.in/cs/www/uga.htm
MA in Studio Ceramics
UK-based Loughborough University’s School of the Arts invites applications for its Post Graduate
programme, MA in Studio Ceramics: Methodologies and Practice. The course: The one year programme offered by the school provides an opportunity to study Studio Ceramics in depth, to advance individual skills, knowledge and understanding in creative, practical, and technical aspects of the subject within a workshop and studio environment. Eligibility: Candidates should have a minimum degree score of 65 per cent but exceptional circumstances like an honours degree in an aligned subject or appropriate additional work experience will also be considered. How to apply: Students should submit an application form, an electronic PDF
Fee: £13,750 Deadline: February 2014. Check out: www.lboro.ac.uk
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Change or chaos?
Aakash Chaudhry In the past one year or so, both the medical and engineering entrance examination patterns have got a lot of attention from the government, regulatory bodies, media, students and parents alike. The changes introduced in the entrance tests for the fields of engineering and medical education, have created quite a stressful situation for students leaving them directionless and confused. Unfair for engineering aspirants
As far as the IITs are concerned, a directive by the ministry stated that only a single exam would be conducted for enlisted colleges across the country offering engineering courses this year onwards. According to the new selection norms, students are expected to not just clear the JEE mains and the advanced exams, but to also be in the top 20 percentile of their respective state boards’ Class XII exam scores. While the idea was to make students focus more on school studies, it has actually proved counter-productive. Students in states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu or Kerala are put at an immediate disadvantage despite securing a good score in the JEE and performing well in Class XII, as the average cut-off in these states is better than those in states like Bihar or Tripura by huge margins of almost 40 per cent in some cases. A case in point is the student from Andhra Pradesh whose rank in the JEE (advanced) was 1,256 this year and he also scored 91.1 per cent in the Andhra Pradesh board exam for Class XII. Yet, he failed to get a seat in the IITs as the cut-off for Andhra Pradesh was pegged at 91.8 per cent.
Medical aspirants at sea
In case of medical entrance, the introduction of the NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test) in 2013 was expected to scrap all state-level medical entrance tests and the All-India PMT exam. The CBSE had confirmation from all state medical councils for their participation in the NEET 2013. A total of 271 MBBS colleges had been listed by the Medical Council of India (MCI), which would fall under the aegis of NEET 2013. These colleges offer a total of 31,000 MBBS seats across India. The idea behind the NEET was to curb the corrupt practice which enabled undeserving students to get admissions by paying huge capitation fees or donations as the entire examination process would be monitored centrally. It will also enable economically backward students to give one exam without travelling to different parts of the country. However, the Supreme Court has now said that it would reconsider the verdict on the NEET. This has confused the students further. The confusion in the pattern of the examinations will also gravely affect the quality of students. As seen in the case of IITs, the deserving students lose out because of the disparity in state board percentile. In case of medical schools, the delayed implementation of NEET means that the problem of paid seats, corruption in allocation of seats and streams etc will continue. It will also mean that students who are bright might re-consider sitting for these exams due to a lack of direction. They may choose other career options where there is more clarity and less red-tapism. Students, who can afford to, will choose to study abroad where a single well-defined exam like the SAT needs to be taken to get into the top institutes. The entire idea behind the changes was to improve the education system and prevent brain drain. But the kind of confusion that the changes in the formats are causing is having a negative impact.
Political hue
Education is becoming a matter of politics in this context. Various parties are using this issue for their ulterior motives at the expense of students. State Entrance Exams as opposed to one centralised examination benefit the businesses and banks that fund the training of students for elaborate preparations. State governments are able to unfairly politicise this issue by making it seem like they are protecting minorities by not supporting a centralised exam. Hence an issue as sensitive and important as education is given a political hue and decisions are taken in a way that support education providers and politicians but not the students.
What students should do
Students unfortunately suffer at the hands of all this regulatory back and forth but the best advice for them in this case is to be calm and prepare keeping the current formats in mind. They must focus on mastering the syllabus and understanding the concepts in depth without getting carried away by the nitty-gritty of formats and changes. There is no denying the fact that these changes cause an adverse impact on the mental make-up of students. But once a student is thorough with his entire syllabus with a focus on understanding and not on rote, he can attempt any exam with flair and success. And lastly, one must remember that all students are in the same boat, any changes in the pattern or any confusion around the examination will affect all candidates, thereby keeping the relative variation pretty much negligible.
— The writer is Director, Aakash Educational Services Ltd
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field in focus: physical education Zubin Malhotra Gone are the days when sports were considered a pure hobby or leisure activity. Today sports is a ticket to a great career, fame and wealth and is not just for those who play it. With professional leagues getting established, and various (other than cricket) sport-related career avenues have opened up. New careers such as sports marketers, sports managers, sports therapists and trainers, and sports analysts now vie for attention alongside the more traditional ones such as physical education teachers, coaches and fitness instructors. To become a Sport and Physical Education Teacher or a Coach, you must be proficient in a particular game or in a few related sports. The UGC has set up the All India Council for Physical Education to plan and coordinate the development of physical education throughout the country. The Council also looks after the improvement and regulation of norms and standards in physical education imparted by the various institutes. With the popularity of games and sports, it has become necessary to improve theoretical education along with practical training. What skills have you gained on your course: Sports and physical education students possess a broad range of personal skills and qualities. Since this course comprises the study of science, statistics, psychology, health as well as theoretical and practical work in sport outdoor activities, these will enhance the ability to analyse information critically and develop problem-solving skills. Good organisational skills, time management skills, interpersonal skills are also acquired through participation in sports. Moreover, the qualities acquired through team sports like personal bonding, co-operation and the ability to think on one's feet are universally valued. Sportspersons get preference over others in finding jobs in many government as well as private companies. Special facilities are given for participating in various sports competitions like paid leave, flexible hours etc. Sponsorships and endorsements can make this a high income grosser if you are at the top. There are special quotas for sportsmen in the police and other paramilitary forces as well. Jobs directly related to your subject
The occupations listed below are directly related to your subject although in some cases, further training may be required: Fitness & Health Club Instructors: They work as fitness experts who instruct clients about correct exercises and nutritional requirements. Sports Managers: They are employed mainly in clubs, hotels and leisure centres. Manager plans and coordinates the activities of a leisure centre. The centres may cover a wide range of activities; judo, archery, tennis, basketball, aerobics etc. Manager's responsibility includes the maintenance of courts, sports equipments, etc. Sports Administrators:
They work in sports institutions sponsored by a government body or Sports council. Planning, managing and promotion of various sports within the community, especially among youth and children is the main area of responsibility. Centre and state level authority are responsible for these type of programmes. Sports/Coach Instructors:
They teach skills and techniques of one particular sport or a few related sports in a school, college or club. Coaches draw up training programmes for sports persons to develop their full potential and capacity and keep them in peak form at the time of tournament/competition. Sports Therapists:
They are mainly concerned with the prevention and treatment of injury while participating in sports or athletics and with improving and maintaining physical performance. Physiotherapists: Care for injured players using various techniques like message, exercise therapy, etc. However, further training would be required to become a full fledged physiotherapist. Coaches: Could be involved in schools, colleges and institutes of higher education. In India physical education is a compulsory subject up to class 10 in many schools. But there are few qualified teachers in this subject. A bachelor's degree in physical education is required for being appointed as a sports instructor at the school level. Teaching at a university requires a master's degree followed by clearing the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by UGC. There are certain other areas, where study of sports and physical education is of direct relevance such as: Sports Journalism: Familiarity with sports could be an asset for a career in Sports journalism reporting or feature writing. Besides a hefty sports section in every newspaper, there are dedicated sports channels like ESPN, Ten Sports, DD Sports offering 24/7 sports coverage and features. Marketing & Sales Consultants: The sporting equipment and leisure/fitness wear industry would value your knowledge of sports and physical education to market their products. Sports Management:
Sports management includes event management, PR and marketing, and player representation in its ambit. A sports background would be useful for organizing tournaments and glitzy sports events which are now beginning to attract mega-bucks and sponsorships.
Higher study
Mostly graduates in this subject proceed for special training as coaches and physical education instructors. Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports, Patiala (NSNIS) governed by Sports Authority of India plays an important role in imparting short-term diploma courses in coaching for different games and sports. Eligibility for this course is Plus II. Besides proficiency in sports you must have at least represented the country in the concerned game. Centres for these short-term diploma courses are: Bangalore, Gandhinagar, Kolkata, Imphal and Delhi. SAI-NSNIS Patiala offers an 11-month Diploma course (BPed) in coaching to graduate students. Postgraduate courses MPE/MPEd are available at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh; Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi; Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education, Gwalior; Jiwaji University, Gwalior; Punjabi University, Patiala; Nagpur University, Nagpur; Bangalore University, Bangalore and Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education & Sports Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi. MA in various games and sports as a discipline is offered by NSNIS-Patiala.
Who employs physical education graduates
Fitness and equipment manufacturers, leisure sports goods, health and fitness clubs, hotels, adventure/outdoor pursuits centres, retail firms, commercial organisations, health services, education authorities, sports governing bodies, defence Services etc.
— The writer is Career Counsellor with Career Guidance India (CARING).
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Hiring activities grow
Encouraged by signs of economic recovery, hiring activities grew across most of the sectors including oil and gas and insurance in October, says a report.
According to job portal Naukri.com Job Speak Index, which tracks monthly hiring activities online, recruitment in the country were up by 4 per cent in October as compared to those in September, reported PTI. Sector-wise, oil and gas witnessed monthly growth of 30 per cent in hiring while insurance sector registered an increase of 25 per cent compared to September. These were followed by telecom, BPO and pharmaceutical sectors which showed increase of 20 per cent, 11 per cent and 7 per cent respectively, the report said. However, hiring activities in sectors such as media and entertainment and construction and engineering have shown a decline of 7 per cent and 6 per cent last month. “The current economic situation has started showing signs of recovery and this sentiment is getting echoed in the hiring pattern of the companies,” Info Edge (India) Group President Finance and CFO Ambarish Raghuvanshi said. Region-wise, Bangalore witnessed the maximum improvement in hiring trends with 7 per cent increase in October over September. Besides, Delhi-NCR and Mumbai saw an increase of 3 per cent each in October while hiring in Chennai rose by 2 per cent. “Monthly comparison shows Pune witnessing no growth while Kolkata was down by 7 per cent in October 2013 as compared to September 2013 due to the festive season,” the report said.
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Best chemistry teachers
Winners of the third edition of Tata Chemicals’ Best Chemistry Teachers Awards (BCTA) were felicitated by Minister of Communications and Information Technology Kapil Sibal, and Sanjiv Lal, Vice President, Corporate Projects from Tata Chemicals last week. These awards are organised in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Association of Chemistry Teachers (ACT), Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and Godrej. BCTA is a part of a larger initiative by Tata Chemicals called the ‘Human Touch of Chemistry’. The aim of these awards is to appreciate exemplary work put in by Chemistry Teachers across India. The winners felicitated in the four distinct award categories were: Best Chemistry Teacher (Class XI/XII) – Dr. Yogendra Kothari from Government Excellence Higher Secondary School, Madhavnagar, Ujjain Best Chemistry Teacher (Bachelor's Degree) – Prof. Sunita Bhagat from ASRD college, Delhi University and Prof. Suhas Pednekar from Ramnarain Ruia college, Mumbai Best Chemistry Teacher (For Master's Degree) – Prof. Anil Elias from IIT Delhi Best Chemistry Teacher for promotion of Chemistry as a subject – Prof. Prodeep Phukan from Gawahati University, Guwahati
Summer placements
The Summer Placement process for the Class of 2015 at IIM Bangalore (IIMB) concluded recently placing the largest ever batch of the institute. A total of 135 recruiters visited the campus resulting in 398 internship offers for students According to Prof Sankarshan Basu, Chairperson, Career Development Services, “The two-month summer internship has been appreciated by companies visiting campus as it provides necessary corporate exposure making IIM Bangalore graduates ideal candidates for taking up a range of challenging managerial roles.” With 106 women in the batch, students received offers from regular as well as new recruiters across sectors. —TNS
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Happiness @ work Just as underneath a lamp lies the darkest shadow, successful people too have their not-so-glorious moments. Don’t let these cast a shadow on your happiness as human abilities have a limit. The tussle between the gods and the demons saw a brief respite because demon king Hiranyakashyapu got busy in severe meditation. He wanted to acquire powers “equal to Lord Vishnu”. His absence made his kingdom vulnerable. When the gods attacked, the demon hordes fled away and their families and possessions were left without shelter. Seeing a chance to kill the mighty demon’s clan, Indra abducted Hiranyakashyapu’s pregnant wife Kayadu. But sage Narada intervened and gave Kayadu and her son Prahlad shelter till the demon king returned. After the arrest of patriot Mandayam Srinivasachariar, Editor of ‘India’ weekly, assistant editor and freedom fighter Subramania Bharati was forced to go to French-controlled Pondicherry. Under continued pressure from the British, ‘India’ closed down with the issue of March 12, 1910. Bharati’s link with the masses was cut and so was his source of income. Extreme poverty and his inability to call a doctor for his daughter’s illness in 1915 shattered the poet. The man, who is revered as the father of modern Tamil renaissance, started taking opium and went into a cocoon for three long years. In November 1918, he pulled himself together and returned to British India only to be arrested on arrival. The salvation of King Sagara’s 60,000 sons — reduced to ashes by sage Kapila — required the descent of Ganga from heaven. Royal responsibilities made sure King Sagara, his grandson Amsuman and his great grandson Dilipa didn’t get any time for the major endeavour. Entrusting the kingdom in his ministers’ hands for many years, Bhagiratha, son of Dilipa, took up hard penance. Finally, with Lord Shiva’s help, Bhagiratha brought Ganga to Earth. On seeing his son Salim going wayward, Akbar, the most successful Mughal Emperor, felt he had failed “as a father”. First, Salim got Akbar’s confidant Abul Fazl killed by Bundela chieftain Bir Singh Deo. Then, he rebelled against Akbar and proclaimed himself King in Allahabad. On nearing his death, Akbar — on the advice of leading courtiers Aziz Koka and Man Singh — even contemplated announcing Salim’s son Khusrau as his successor.
Even while talent, luck and hard work take a jack of all to being a master of one, the error-free ‘Master of All’ remains beyond even the most successful man. — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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1. Name India’s Mars orbiter that was launched from Sriharikota recently.
2. Name the five Indian states that are set to go to the Assembly polls? 3. Which legendary Pakistani folk singer passed away recently? 4. Who is largely credited with achieving the unification of princely states with the Indian dominion? 5. What is the full form of CHOGM? 6. Which country’s contestant has won the Miss Universe 2013? 7. Which Indian firm has been ranked as the fastest growing energy company? 8. With which sport is Magnus Carlsen associated? 9. What were the match bowling figures of Mohammed Shami in the recently concluded Kolkata Test match against the West Indies? 10. Who has hit the maximum number of sixes in a one-day international cricket match?
—Tarun Sharma Winners of quiz 450: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Shauraya Bhatia; class VIII C; DAV Public School, BRS Nagar, Ludhiana, Pin Code - 141001 Second: Vinay Kumar Dahiya; Class X; Kendriya Vidyalaya Konsiwas Rewari; Pin Code -123401 Third: Satyam Chadha; class VIII A; School -The Senior Study 2; GT Road, Putlighar, Amritsar; Pin Code - 143001 Answers to quiz 450: Golden; November 5; Manna Dey; Four; Billing; z8-GND-5296; 200; Bosnia and Herzegovina; South Africa; Virat Kohli Cash awards of Rs 400, 300 and 200 are given to the first, second and third prize winners, respectively. These are sent at the school address. Note: Kindly mention the pincode of your place on the letter/postcard to facilitate the delivery of the prize money. Answers can also be sent at quiz@tribunemail.com
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management consulting
Career planning is a long and stressful process. More often than not, most of the people don't pay enough attention to this process. Not that they don't want to give it the due attention, but the lack of knowledge prohibits them from doing it. There is no ready reckoner and information available on when and how to start this process.
Often, in the absence of proper career guidance, many a student fail to realise his true potential. Some of them wake up to the arduous task too late, while others fail to identify the career path that is best suited for them.
HR’s role has evolved considerably over the past few years. Earlier it used to encompass more of administrative or operational work but today it is involved in strategic decision-taking — both at the conception and implementation stages. This is primarily due to an increased understanding about an employee’s role within an organisation, from being an important asset to a key differentiator. “With the scarcity of talent in the market, HR has attained a critical role to identify, acquire and retain the best talent”, says Alexander George Muthoot, Director, of gold loan company Muthoot Group.
In the past one year or so, both the medical and engineering entrance examination patterns have got a lot of attention from the government, regulatory bodies, media, students and parents alike. The changes introduced in the entrance tests for the fields of engineering and medical education, have created quite a stressful situation for students leaving them directionless and confused.
Today every other daily soap that you watch on your favorite channel talks about paternity tests, every food item that you pick up from the shelf talks about the ingredients, every test that you go through in healthcare talks not only about the disease but the extent of the disease. Have you ever wondered what makes all this possible?
Competition for positions in consulting firms is fierce. Those wanting to enter this field will have to show a passion for this field, have academic intelligence and knowledge of the industry (best acquired through work experience or an internship) to have a chance of attracting an offer from the firms.
Various areas of consulting
and libraries are good sources of information for you to anticipate the nature of the change and challenges that your career brings. You can plan to handle these changes rather than resisting or ignoring them. Be aware of the changes sweeping your industry and equip yourself. For example, if a new software is finding favour in your industry, be the first in your company to equip yourself with its working. This will help you lead the way. Those who are ahead in this journey are often the future leaders. This is a never-ending process and the minute you take your eyes off this, you will soon find yourself struggling.
A.Sainik schools are considered to be nurseries for grooming future defence officers. Thousands of officers of our Defence forces, including Service Chiefs, are alumni of Sainik Schools. In fact, a sizeable proportion (17 - 25 per cent) of candidates admitted to the NDA in the past five years have come from Sainik Schools.
Forbes editorial internship programme
Gujarat Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, invites applications for admission to Post Basic Diploma in Forensic Nursing for 2013-14 session.
portfolio of recent work, and a , word supporting statement contextualising their practice.
Earlier, Akbar thwarted Salim’s move to marry
Mehrunnisa, the daughter of his courtier Ghiyas Beg, by getting her married to Sher Afghan, an officer in his army. After the death of Akbar and Sher Afghan, Salim — after getting crowned as Jehangir — married Mehrunissa who assumed the title of Noor
Jahan.
